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“You guys need to keep this between us. No one can know. You need to come to the wedding tomorrow and behave like it’s real,” I warn them all.
“This isn’t making any sense,” Wolfe says. “Are you or are you not in love with her?”
“She’s avoiding my sorry ass,” I reply.
The guys unanimously ask, “Why?”
“We had an arrangement from the beginning. It was supposed to be temporary and uncomplicated. Syd loves her and she is so good with her. I’ve had some really shitty nannies, and I feel guilty for leaving Syd with people she didn’t care for. I didn’t want to rock the boat. When your kid is happy, it’s top priority.”
“I’m not following you, bro,” Wolfe says. I mean, I’m not even following me so that would make sense.
“The reasons for us getting married are no longer an issue, but I told her I would marry her anyway to make her nana happy, and then we could get it annulled. She hasn’t spoken to me since I suggested that stupid annulment idea. I only suggested it because I am fucking terrified of change. Everything is good with Ellie and Syd,” I reply.
“You’re in love with a woman who loves your kid,” Wolfe says in simple terms. “But how do you even know Ellie is upset with you over the annulment idea if it was an arrangement from the start. Were you guys together?”
“We’ve been sleeping together,” I confess, and the words burn. “I set up all the right boundaries, told myself not to touch her because she is Syd’s nanny and Syd loves her, and here I went and screwed everything up.”
“Bro.” Brett extends his hand to me for a high five and I shoot him down with a dirty look.
“She was too damn irresistible,” I admit to Wolfe.
“Couldn’t keep your dick in your pants,” Brett chuckles.
“This isn’t a joke. It’s my life,” I quip and Brett’s smile falls.
“Brett, shut up,” Wolfe says in a friendly way, then he redirects his attention back to me. “What I’m hearing is you and Ellie had something going and you’ve developed real feelings for her.”
“I can’t rock the boat. I told you, man. I’ve been raising Syd on my own with no help. My parents are gone. I can’t afford to give my heart and Syd’s to Ellie. What if it doesn’t work out?” I ask.
“It’s a risk,” Wolfe confirms. “I get that it’s scary. I remember falling for Rebel in college. My home life was shit. My parents’ marriage was a nightmare. I didn’t believe I could have true love.”
“You guys are getting too sappy,” Brett complains. “Just continue on with the sex. Marry her tomorrow and get the thing annulled. True love doesn’t exist.”
“Said like a true pessimist,” Kaleb intervenes for the first time.
“That coming from a guy who only takes women out on one date,” Brett chides Kaleb.
I turn to see Kaleb shift in his seat. “Since we are having an honesty dump; I might as well confess that I lied about losing my virginity,” he blurts.
I’ve heard the guys joke with Kaleb how he was a virgin when he first got drafted. He never went to college and got drafted right out of high school. He was playing for the OHL in Canada.
“Fuck, man, that can’t be right,” Brett says to him.
“How do you suppose?” Kaleb asks him.
Wolfe blows out a breath and gives me a side glance. I’m just happy some of the attention is off me.
“I see you with the ladies all the time,” Brett tells him.
“I am with ladies all the time. We just don’t go all the way,” Kaleb admits.
“Why the fuck not?” Brett asks.
Kaleb shrugs.
“Okay, leave Kaleb alone,” Wolfe cuts in. “We’ll deal with you soon,” he says to Kaleb. “Right now, I need to pull into a spot. The guys are already here.”
“I need you guys to keep this on the down-low,” I say to all of them.
